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MysticSpork

Updated 1y ago

Seeking advice on ADHD medication and stimulants

I take an antidepressant right now that is supposed to help with my ADHD along with an antipsychotic and anxiety meds, but my husband really thinks I would benefit from an actual stimulant due to me forgetting everything all of the time, experiencing major brain fog, and other things. I'm just not sure if I would have to take both a stimulant AND an antidepressant, or just a stimulant. I'm also nervous because I know that stimulants are a lot more controlled, so I don't know if I'll even get on one. What are your experiences with taking stimulants?

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Some individuals have shared that they take a stimulant medication for their ADHD, but these are controlled substances and require a prescription. Others have mentioned that stimulants can worsen cond...See More

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skeptic_

1y

So I actually recently started taking adderall xr 20 mg about.. 2 weeks ago now. So far I would say that with this specific stimulant prescription, I haven’t noticed much help as far as my memory goes. Though to be fair, memory problems run in my family. I also do smoke weed and that does have an effect on your short term memory and executive function so keep that in mind! The adderall has helped IMMENSELY with my executive disfunction and my energy levels. It really feels like it allows me to get what I need to do done, whereas before there really was little to no hope. It also has helped with the inevitable depression that can come with untreated adhd, since depression always seemed to be something I’d slip into when I couldn’t for the life of me do what I wanted or needed. For reference, I also have been taking zoloft for over a year and would still slip into depression regardless of if I was or wasn’t taking them. So it’s really impossible to say unless you try to get them prescribed. Especially since all of our bodies are different and break things down differently. I hope this helps and lmk if you have questions or find anything out!
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MysticSpork

1y

Ty!
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Chronicallyenby

1y

Stimulants may or may not help. I took strattera and it was more helpful than stimulants but I got too used to it and it stopped working. Now I'm on Wellbutrin and it works really well. I found the stimulants affected my anxiety too much so this was a great compromise
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egg2635

1y

I cant take amphetamine stimulants because ive had a manic episode recently, I can take ritalin though! Stimulants probably contributed to the mania this time but hard to function without them
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ae_belli

1y

does the Ritalin hit differently? Or did your doc say why? Just curious! Also coming off a manic episode but I resumed Vyvanse (lisdexamphetamine) which my doc thinks played a part in the cause even though I’ve been on the same dose for 8 years and am worse without it.
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StrawberryTori

1y

Just thought I'd mention that I recently discovered that the cause of my completely paralysing and utterly life destroying brain fog was the antidepressant that was supposed to be helping me. Doctors actually kept giving me more of it to try and combat my symptoms and its only when I got so messed up and kept forgetting to take it that I realised it was the very thing making my brain feel like Swiss cheese. I'm not suggesting this is the case for everyone or that anyone should just stop taking anything, obviously that's very dangerous. Also coming off them is a hell filled journey of its own, but I still think its worth mentioning because its changed my life. The drug in question is sertraline.
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ae_belli

1y

Stimulants changed my entire life and I know my adolescence/teenagehood/school would have been drastically different had I been diagnosed before 22. But for me my quality of life has gotten better. No more brain fog, controlled emotions/no more outbursts or super overly intense emotional episodes. My memory is better, I can actually remember a shitton more. I can focus on one task at a time. Granted, it has to be a good task bc it does that for anything I’m focused on- I can just sustain focus. Just concentration alone is amazingly different. It prevents most noise overstimulation- when I don’t take it someone breathing “loudly” (aka normal breathing) across the room makes me want to stab my ears with an ice pick. And it does so much more that I can’t think of on the top of my head. They are worth it. I take Vyvanse & then Wellbutrin which is an antidepressant too. They don’t work for everyone, but if they do- your life will change!
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Jinda

1y

I heard walk or sports or just some sort actively you can balance you out it's just I really started struggle with I am waiting to get tested my life has been so hard

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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